Has anyone out there tried the Rouge Spin Jig blanks or rods. I was wondering how they compared to the Loomis rods. Are they like a GL2, GL3, IMX, or GLX?

Thanks,
Ron Greenbank

I've done a few and think they are better than the current Loomis'

Mike

I haven't tried them yet, either - I'd be curious to know where they fall in that category, too.

I would like to know where to get them.

Custom Tackle Supply and Merrick, I know for sure, I'm sure there are other sponsors who also carry them. They are sweet blanks.

Their blank designer is Bob Loomis

Mike

I have made quite a few of these, and now use them almost exclusively for spinning rods. The prices are great for the stiffness/weight ratio of the rod. There is a huge difference between the rod powers- the SJ702, for instance, has a very stiff butt and a medium action tip- making it a great all-around spinning rod but a bit soft for what most of my customers want. The SJ704 is very stiff along the entire blank, and is a fantastic rod for jigging the heavier soft plastic baits like Senkos.

I've had my hands on a wide variety of great spinning blanks, and the next rod I'm making for myself will be an SJ663. Without exception the blanks I have received were very straight and blemish free. I just wish they made this series as a two-piece rod...

Nice blanks and certainly a good contender against Loomis and St. Croix. I agree with Mike that my blanks have been straight and blemish free.

I don't consider their SJ's as sensitive as Loomis IMX, St. Croix SCV or Shikari SHX. If you're looking for high end and max sensitivity, look elsewhere. However if you're looking for competition for GL3, SCIII or SHIII, here it is. Good quality, good prices and good performance.

Matt- have you tried the 3 and 4 power SJ blanks? They are far more sensitive than the 2 power...

I did do a 3 power and it does feel better than the 2 power. I was actually quite disappointed in the 2 power blanks sensitivity. I still can't rate them on the level with the SHX/IMX/LE.

Bob Loomis is no longer with the company.

The current version of the SJ 702 is quite a bit slower than the original model from a couple years ago. The new one is a lot like a popping blank--very moderate. The 703 and 704 are perfect.

The large butt diameter and fast taper is what makes these blanks so light. If you look at their slower tapers (P 705 for example), the blanks are much heavier. As far as I'm aware, their blanks are made of standard graphite, nothing like the high modulus materials in the high end Loomis and St Croix. They're some nice blanks though.